Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-01-29
THE RAT.CATCFnER'S TALK.
A Man Who Makes a Business of FIX.
terminating Rodents.

HUNTING THEM OUT WITH A PACK OF NOES ANr
FERRETs-TAKING CONTRACTS At TEN DOLLARS A
DAY-HOw THE FERRETs FIGHT THEM-soMB
CURIOUS REFLECTIONS ABOUT RATS.
'sThey aren't taken into consideration by the
census; they don't pay taxes, and they aren't
mentioned In the city directory, but they are
big population" AS the man said this he threw
his net over his shoulder settled his box on his
back and called his dogs.
"Rats, yes, rats. That's what I'm talking Of
Generally speaking, I'm the rat man. Not that
rats are particularly fond OF me, for they afnt;
but my business tends in that line. live on rats
What? No, don't eat the varmints! Do I look
like celestial? I live on the rats and the
rats live on the CITY, In other words, I'm
rat detective. For that matter, I'm somewhat
tie creatures
''That is you are professional rat-catcher,"
suggested THR STAR reporter.
'Well yes; to put it in that way. I'm the rat
man, with these dogs and these ferrets, with the
help of the nets to keep them from getting away.
1 endeavOr to clear the city Of that part OF the
population which is least considered by political
economists. They form one OF the criminal classes
sumtng class, doing their part to dispose Of the
over production; as such I study their habits
They are producing class too to the extent OF
giving employment to me and these little critters;
and as such have the highest regard for rats II
the government knew their Importance Congress
would probably create department Of rats; but
they should at all events have bureau Of rats In
the new department Of agriculture. Maybe you
never thought OF it. but the rat is an indirect tax
and should be taken into consideration in the re-
vision OF the tariff. am getting up some Stats
tics on rats, which may make public some day,
to the confusion OF political economists and the
general well-being Of mankind"
'Now If you want your house cleared. here's your
chance. I'll make contract to clean every rat
f(prr fNr fnyNA nl1n
house is not too big. My rate is ten dollars day
and upwards"
HOW THE RAT CATCHER WORKS
"How do you propose to do it," asked the re.
porter.
''You see these ferrets? Ihave thirty or more OF
see 'em--and these nets and myself. That's what
it takes to clear city OF rats That and the
money to pay met" AS he spoke he shook the net
by his side all chained together. "rhats rabbit
beagle; that's half and half and the other is skye
TERROR. They know each other-these dogs and
these ferrets. They never interfere with each
other. The ferrets go into the holes to drive the
rats out, and the dogs kill the varmints as they
come con out we KILLED seventeen rats IN two hours
eight in four hours Mice? N-O-o-o! We don't
NEEDLE with MICE They are great big rats. Gen.
"Where do you work." asked the reporter, set.
Ting himself down to encourage the philOsophi.
Cal rat catcher to further conversation.
don't Stay In one place very long. You see," he
added, with wink, 'the rats get scarce after we
have been about for while: We go from town to
to XIII all the rats-or at least ali the people VII
pay for. We work in private houses, livery stables
mills particularly mills-nour mills. Cleared the
National theater not long ago. and lost ferret by
1t, too. The little critter went through into the
next house and the cook cut its head on and
The rat catcher stopped here to express his op,n.
ion OF cooks in general and this cook in particular
hotels, feed stores and such like big estabiish.
ments. In fact, do most Of my work by Contract
tract to clear house and as fast as killed then,
more came. 1 thought would never get to the
end OF them. Finally lost one OF my ferrets. and
end OF the square. They had been driving the rats
down from every house In the block, and I'd been
doing 1t all for one jOb!"
THR PROFITS or THE CALLING
EDO you ind it profitable profession9n asked
THE STAR.
.Barrin' the cooks that kills the ferrets ann m.
imposition Of the pesky rats having the run OF !
| whole block, 1t pays pretty well It's $40 a dav
and sometimes all can do. The ferrets are worft
when they'se like these-weIl trainedvtheE ca ann
be had for less than SIS. can't afford to nav'
blOod-th1rsty cooks skin EN-"
"No; they can't do it. They run to break the,,
neckS Wnen tney smell one OF the little critters
II the rat shows Tight at all the ferret goes linn
and the rats done for; his heads gone and I'll,
| blood sucked. Rats VIII do funny thineS In re
| away" he continued. zone day drove ran 0nff n
a cellar we were hunting, and we couldnr An ~
| them until we dug them out OF sand pile wher,
| they had htd-seventeenof 'em. You see the doc.
tell US where they are; then we spread the nets h
prevent them running too far, and put the ferrats
| In on them. Then there's scamper When man,
come out at one time 1t is lively for while
GENERAL REFLECTIONS ON RATS.
| rive had to do with rats for long time novv
he continued, land have got to know them urett,
well They're an interesting family, from the mti
ler's rat with powdered hair who sits like a tudc
on meal sack, to the piratical wharf rat fanoss,
| for his raklShneSs and his immense size or t,
| Shiny sewer rat, that lives on the refuse Of TN
city. This last fellow Is the only one cOuld eve
see might be OF some service. He may WORK ~
his board as scayanger. At all events. he don.
eat anything that anybody else wants. IN
| church mouse is rated as the most starved on
| varmint In the world, butt never could see VIVA,
| theater rat got to eat. Big, long, lank Fellow
walk about the stage at night, like Hamlet,
! gh0St-or who ever he WaS-and don't sea vho
they live on, unless It Is the music They saw rat
/ like music" go
Public sentiment In New York II beginning :
react against Dr.. 1cGlnn.